For instance several came up with a concept they made look cool and everyone started wearing while mainstream tapped into the market too. Hip-hop at this time was a re-creation of many designs and making it your own. Many of these fellas and females became major recording artist and trend setters for the culture.
The styles worn were Adidas track suits, bomber jackets, and sneakers like Puma’s, Pro-keds, and Chuck Taylor All-star’s with oversized shoelaces.Īs we went into the 1980’s this street wear became Hip-hop culture inspired by Hip-hop music that was often seen on any corner in New York with two or more fellas battling with rhymes drawing an audience cheering them on. During this time the looks were put together as an expression of self identity seen at block parties, and house parties. Hip-hop fashion began in the late 1970’s in New York City’s Bronx neighborhood. The slaves took left over fabric and utilized creativity because we have been creative since the beginning of time. From the leather version for the classic, edgy types, to silky versions with bright colors for the preppier men, this is a jacket for all occasions.The Black experience of taking little of nothing and creating multitudes of styles stems as far back during slavery. Made famous by Tom Cruise in Top Gun, the bomber jacket has never really gone out of style, and they seem to transcend barriers among different types of men. It was unpolished, and slightly dirty looking, a look that many men today still wear. One of the more popular aspects of the look was his long, mop of blonde hair that looked like it hadn’t been washed in weeks. Cobain’s style was in fact the opposite of fashion the whole point was to act like you didn’t care, and to look as if you didn’t try. While the grunge look was made extremely popular in the ’90s by musicians like Kurt Cobain, its origins start in the 80s. Billy Ray Cyrus was famous for it, but it was also seen on artists such as Metallica’s James Hetfield. The mullet did not fit into just one look in the 80s, it was seen on men all around. Patrick Swayze from Dirty Dancing left women drooling and men trying to look just like him, in hopes they would also get the same female attention.
80s hip hop fashion full#
When you think of this hairstyle, you may remember Uncle Jessie from Full House rocking the look, his hair being the only thing he was obsessed with more than Elvis. Popular singers and actors brought this look into the mainstream, and every man wanted to copy it. The men’s hairstyle that could absolutely define the decade is the mullet, and while many people hope this look never sees the light of day again, it does seem to be making a comeback, especially with recent shows like Stranger Things. Men can easily use inspiration from 1980s fashion as an influence for their outfits today, and for probably many years to come.
The mashing up of various decades simultaneously just seems to be part of the way fashion operates right now.” Simon Chilvers, men’s style director at MatchesFashion told FashionBeans, “It feels like the 80s have been in-and-out of fashion for about 10 years now. Various trends from the 80s went in and out even decades later, and still we see them popping up even today. And, just like today, there were different styles for different types of men, from the preppy types to baggy clothes inspired by hip hop artists. Even Tom Cruise had his influence on 80s men’s fashion, after appearing in movies like Risky Business and Tom Gun.Ĩ0s men’s fashion was known as being opulent, big, bold, and excessive. Movies and television also became hugely influential in terms of fashion, with many copying styles from “The Brat pack,” as seen in movies like The Breakfast Club, and St.
The cable network became a massive influence on young people, and their fashion choices, and saw many trying to copy the styles of their favorite artists in music videos. MTV came out in 1981, allowing people to push back against the consumerism of the “yuppie” culture. Thus, by the 1980s, the new decade ushered in a time of conservative values as well as a more materialistic and consumer-oriented society.Įntertainment became super popular, with many households buying VCRs, and by the end of the decade, 60% of Americans signed up for a cable service. There was a lack of faith in the world, and insecurity all around. The 1970s were a difficult and unstable period for many people, with the Vietnam War causing a great deal of heartache, the Watergate Scandal creating political problems, and general economic instability.